March 5, 2004

 

 

Vietnam Authorities Plan Restoration Of Poultry Industry

 

The recent bird flu outbreak has wreaked havoc on Vietnam's poultry industry. Consequently, after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development declared that the epidemic has been contained, plans were quickly made to restore the poultry industry.

 

According to the ministry's statistics, around 38.3 million of birds have been culled or died, causing great losses to the industry. The government and localities financed hundreds of billions VND to fight the epidemic and restore the poultry industry after its end.

 

Experts predict that farmers may embark on poultry raising at least two months after an end to the epidemic is declared and production could brought back to normal at least a year later. It will take around three years for the national poultry flock to reach its pre-epidemic level.

 

The Hanoi People's Committee held a working session with related agencies to devise solution to restore the poultry industry. The Agricultural sector will offer incentives to support poultry farms and households.

 

Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has also issued regulations and directions for the slaughter, consumption and transport of poultry products to markets. The City has allowed trade of poultry products with provincial quarantine certification. The city is co-ordinating with related agencies to continue supervising development of the epidemic, control transport of poultry products and feed, intensify environmental protection, and disinfect farms.

 

Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Lam Dong province Mr. Hoang Sy Son signed a decision declaring the province free from the epidemic on Wednesday.

 

Under the decision, all activities in the livestock trade will return to normal. However, the poultry industry will continue to supervise and control such activities.

 

The provincial People's Committee also directed the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Finance to make payments for preventive and culling effort for households and agencies in the province.

 

Representatives from Polysan Company in Vietnam presented 1,500 Cycloferon ampoules to the Tropical Diseases and Clinical Medicine Institute at Bach Mai Hospital on Wednesday.

 

According to health experts, Cycloferon has been tested at 103 Army Hospital and shown to the Tropical Diseases and Clinical Medicine Institute at Bach Mai Hospital positive results. The medicine will be used to treat viral diseases including hepatitis, encephalitis, and bird flu.